Heavy snowfall kill over 60 people in Afghanistan

Snow and heavy rain have killed 61 people in Afghanistan in the past three days, disaster officials said, with a major road and power also cut in several provinces.

The deaths occurred mainly in central and northern provinces between Wednesday and Friday, according to a map released by Afghanistan's disaster management authority (ANDMA).

The "initial figures of casualties and destruction" also include 110 injured people and 458 houses that were either partially or fully destroyed, ANDMA said.

A total of 360 families were affected, said a spokesman who asked people to avoid unnecessary travel on snowy roads.

The spokesman noted that most of the casualties were caused by roof collapses and avalanches, while many also died from frostbite in sub-zero temperatures.

The emergency department in the southern province of Kandahar said six children were killed when the roof of their home collapsed in strong wind and heavy rain on Wednesday.

Houses were also damaged in other districts.

The Salang highway, one of Afghanistan's main roads, has been closed, authorities in Parwan province north of Kabul said.

Food supplies were also distributed to travellers stuck on a mountain pass in central Bamyan province, west of the capital.